Touchpoint 1
Sperm whales may have their own ‘alphabet’
What is it?
Sperm whales have huge brains, travel in pods, and are very social. Scientists think these whales may have an alphabet in the form of clicks that allows them to send detailed messages to other sperm whales.
Potential message to students:
Do you think most animals with semi-large brains have sophisticated communications and humans just haven’t figured it out yet? If you had to guess what will be the animal that is closest to humans in communication ability, what would it be?
Touchpoint 2
Orangutan observed using a plant to treat an open wound
What is it?
Humans observed an orangutan using a plant to treat a wound. The orangutan not only used a specific plant, but spit on it to improve its ability to heal the wound. Orangutans move around, so scientists can’t figure out whether this is a family-taught behavior or if it was stumbled upon as a treatment.
Potential message to students:
Do you think apes evolved to have these skills, learned them from parents, or accidentally picked them up as adults? Do you think we should be studying apes more for better ways to use nature to help humans?
Touchpoint 3
Possible alternative to antibiotics produced by bacteria
What is it?
Humans use antibiotics when they are sick. But after use, that same antibiotic may not work for us again. Over time, we become resistant and can no longer use these antibiotics. Scientists think they can use bacteria to make a new type of antibiotic that will work over and over again.
Potential message to students:
Do you think we are prescribed antibiotics too much? Should we be taking them for a flu or when we have a tooth pulled? Do you think people need to be informed to use them sparingly, in case we need them later in life for something more serious?